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Aloe Vera


Question
Charlotte,

Thank you for the speedy reply.  When I say leaves, I actually meant 4 sprouts.  I use the plant only for medical reasons; burns, scratches, etc..  I think I have been watering it too much and it is definitely in a pot that is way to big.  I keep the plant indoors;in my kitchen by the window, which only gets morning sun.

I am going to replant it into a smaller pot and try the other hints you offered.  Thank you for answering so quickly with really good advice.

Take care,
Brendie
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Followup To

Question -
Charlotte,

I have a few (4 small) leaves of Aloe vera and I want a whole lot more.  What is the best way to get my Aloe to duplicate itself and what are the best conditions for them to thrive?

Answer -
Hi Brandi;
By leaves, do you mean a plant with a few leaves, and some roots? Or do you mean leaves detached from an Aloe plant?
Aloe does not require much maintenance.
I think I average watering mone about once a month.
A tad too much water, and they will wilt into a jellyish shape. Most plants, when they get root bound, the die out. My aloe seems to thrive on overcrowding.
When I get a pot so full it is about to burst,. I slice into the soil with a sharp knife, right beside where leaves come up from the soil line, and put that clump into another pot.
they will grow very well in potting soil, or soil that is not so great.
They will NOT take a lot of sun.
You can have your pots outside, but they mush be in the shade from midday on, if not before.
I keep mine in an East window. they get some filtered morning sun.
Actually a coule of them don't get any direct sunlight, they arew off to the side of the window, and they get a lot of light, but not any sunshine.
In a 12 to 14 inch pot, you can stuff a half dozen small Aloe plants. I put one in the center and the others in a ring around that one, and about 2 or 3 inches from thew side of the pot.
No afternoon s8un. East, morning sun, if any at all.  Not a lot of water.
I will pass by mine and feel the soil in the pot, and it is completely7 dry as far down as my finger goes, so I think it must need water, and I pour about a pint of water evenly around the surface of the soil. That seems to be enough.
It will start to look swiveled if it astarts hurting for water, and will turn sort of transparent and jelly like, if it gets too much water, or too much heat or cold.
Are you gropwing it for the looks of the plant, or for it's medicinal properties?
I have never found anything, including prescription medicines as good for a burn, as Aloe.
What you buy in the bottles in the store, is not as good. Got to have the REAL stuff out of the plant.
Get sunburned today,so you look like a lobster, use aloe out of the plant, and if you use it right, you will not be sore tomorrow, or very red.
If you haven't used the plant for this, or are not sure exactly how to use it to get the best results, write me, and I will be glad to tell you the things I have used it for.
Charlotte

Answer
I wopuldn't transplant it, just cut back on the water.
I have burned myself a few times that should have been a severe wound to deal with, and i doused it in cold water until, the inner fire was out ( a burn keeps burning until the flesh is cooled off), and hald a piece of aloe against it ( or taped it on with bandaids etc and left it overnight), and the next day, saw no evidence that there had even been a burn.
I killed a lot of them before I finally got it into my head, that the thing can go almost forever without water.
Charlotte

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